New law: Blaze orange required on some ground blinds

Natural vegetation, tree and elevated stands excluded

EDITOR'S ADVISORY: - This news release has been updated to reflect that the requirement for blaze orange on blinds applies only to blinds placed on lands under the ownership, management or control of the Department of Natural Resources. This rule does not apply to federal, county or municipal lands open to hunting, or to private lands. It also does not apply to privately owned lands that are enrolled in the state's Managed Forest Law (MFL) or Forest Crop Law (FCL) programs.

MADISON - Wisconsin gun-deer hunters who use ground blinds on lands controlled by the Department of Natural Resources
should note a new state law requires blaze orange visibly displayed on the exterior.

DNR Warden Tim Lawhern who administers the agency's Hunter Safety Education program, said the patch of blaze orange material must be visible from all directions.

"This blaze orange material must be at least 144 square inches - that's 12 inches by 12 inches. And it must be visible all around the blind - that's 360 degrees," Lawhern said of the state law that took effect this year. "This law is all about keeping hunters safe while they enjoy one of Wisconsin's traditions."

Lawhern said the new law, however, does not apply to blinds made of dead vegetation found on the property nor does it apply to tree stands or other elevated stands.

"However, it wouldn't hurt if those hunters hunting from tree stands or other type blinds did the same thing," he said.

This new law also contains requirements for unoccupied ground blinds.

"When the ground blind is left unoccupied, the owner must post their DNR customer identification number or name and address written legibly in English somewhere in a conspicuous spot on the outside of the structure and near its entry," Lawhern said.

To learn how to get a DNR customer ID number or about this new law, call 1-888-936-7463 between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. or visit a DNR Service Center.